The official government vehicles used by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly were returned to the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.

The Speaker’s vehicle, FOF01, and the Deputy Speaker’s vehicle, FOF02, parked outside the office while the two were in Savaii.

The return follows formal advice issued by the Attorney General, Su’a Hellene Wallwork, who last week reminded the Office of the Clerk that continued use of the vehicles was in breach of the Public Finance Management (Government Vehicles) Regulations 2023.

The vehicles had remained in use despite the formal end of the parliamentary term, raising legal and public accountability concerns.

More details to follow.